Fifty-seven-year-old Steve Fischel of Broomfield, Colorado, doesn’t allow his goals and dreams to stop because of his amputation. After multiple complications following a knee replacement, Steve lived in agonizing pain in order to not have his leg amputated; but after making the life-changing decision to have the operation, he found hope and he loves his life more than ever.

“This is not the end. It’s a new beginning,” states Fischel.

After having an amputation on Sept. 26, 2014, Steve became a patient at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Littleton, an inpatient physical rehabilitation hospital, to learn how to walk with a prosthetic leg. Through physical therapy, he regained the movement and strength to navigate on his own. He also started crafting a list of goals which included climbing a “fourteener,” wake boarding and riding a standard bike. While he’s accomplished these great feats and inspired many during the journey, he chose to spend his one-year anniversary post amputation skydiving.

On Sept. 26, 2015, Fischel, who has been skydiving for more than 30 years, suited up for the jump of his life. Jumping with others, they created a common aerial formation known as “The Ring of Hope.” In creating this formation, they chose to leave one spot open to symbolize providing hope to others that have endured amputations.

“All that patients need is hope to start their recovery,” says Fischel.